Maggie has a simple way to describe her experience as a math major at North Central.

“You feel like you’ve hit the jackpot,” she says. “The professors are phenomenal. They’re knowledgeable, friendly and genuinely care about the well-being and success of their students. They’ve inspired me to continue learning, growing and moving forward.”

Maggie has accepted a teaching assistant position at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she will pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics. Her goal is to teach at a small liberal arts institution.

“I served as the math department’s student secretary for three years, so I was able to observe our professors teaching, grading and holding office hours,” she says. “I feel prepared and confident that I’ve chosen a career path that I will love.

“Math is like a puzzle and the pieces generally fit together nicely. It’s demanding, but also satisfying when you solve a difficult problem or finish a complex proof.”

Satyan Devadoss '93 has earned a Mathematical Association of America award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics.

Satyan Devadoss, Ph.D., who earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics at North Central College in 1993, has earned the Mathematical Association of America’s (MAA) 2014 Northeastern Section Award (NES) for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics.

The Princeton Review has once again named North Central College a Best Midwestern College in its annual survey of the nation’s best colleges.

The Princeton Review has once again named North Central College a Best Midwestern College in its annual survey of the nation’s best colleges.

North Central College is included in The Princeton Review’s college guide, “The Best 379 Colleges, 2015 Edition.” The guide surveys more than 130,000 college students nationwide to determine the top 15 percent of about 2,900 four-year institutions nationwide.

Forbes magazine says North Central College is among America’s Top Colleges and ranks among the top 20 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities.

Forbes magazine once again ranks North Central College among America’s Top Colleges.

Forbes includes North Central College among the top 20 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities. The magazine profiles the top 650 of the nearly 2,500 four-year institutions of higher learning in the United States. Forbes ranks North Central College No. 490 overall, No. 333 among private colleges and No. 117 in the Midwest.

North Central College is recognized for excellence in the 2014-2015 Colleges of Distinction directory.

North Central College is recognized for excellence in the 2014-2015 Colleges of Distinction directory.

Colleges of Distinction is a guide that considers the views of guidance counselors, educators and admission professionals to honor colleges that excel in four areas of undergraduate education: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.

The 15th annual edition praises North Central College and its commitment to those four core values.

Several North Central College faculty presented and coordinated the Associated Colleges of Illinois Summer Institute for Educators June 27.

North Central College hosted the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Summer Institute for Educators held June 27. North Central’s Jan Fitzsimmons, executive director of Urban Education Laboratory, coordinated the event and several of the College’s faculty presented sessions on various topics.

Mary McMahon, associate professor of mathematics and mathematics education coordinator, copresented a session titled “Lesson Study: A Mathematics Tool for Teacher Collaboration in the Midst of the Common Core Standards.”

North Central College recognized faculty and administrative staff for outstanding teaching, scholarship and service with Dissinger and Ruge Fellow awards.

In May, six outstanding North Central College faculty and staff for the 2013-2014 academic year received endowed Dissinger awards. Two further faculty members were honored as Ruge Fellows for their inspired teaching and dedication to students.

Margaret Wieczorek won two North Central College awards, Outstanding Major in Mathematics and the Outstanding Student in the Division of Science.

Margaret Wieczorek, daughter of Daniel and Patricia Wieczorek of Peru, received two awards—the Outstanding Major in Mathematics and the Outstanding Student in the Division of Science—during Honors Convocation May 13 at North Central College in Naperville.

A senior, Margaret is majoring in mathematics and in French. She will be pursuing her Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Tennessee in the fall. She is a graduate of LaSalle-Peru Township High School.

North Central College mathematics major Rebecca Rachan ’16 participated in the Undergraduate Modeling Workshop at North Carolina State University.

Rebecca Rachan ‘16, a mathematics major at North Central College, participated in the Undergraduate Modeling Workshop May 18-23 at North Carolina State University. Rachan was one of 29 students from across the nation—from schools like Virginia Tech, Brown and Penn State—accepted into the prestigious workshop.

“When I got in, I was shocked and incredibly excited,” says Rachan, who completed her rigorous application with help from Marco Martinez, North Central College assistant professor of mathematics.